Reply to “The forced renaissance of telemedicine during COVID-19: A fellow-in-training's perspective”

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Priya Bansal, UPMC Susquehanna Health Allergy; Nathan Hare, Asthma and Allergy Wellness Center; Sakina S. Bajowala, Kaneland Allergy & Asthma Center; Stuart L. Abramson, Shannon Clinic/Shannon Medical Center; Sheva Chervinskiy, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences; Robert Corriel, Partner ProHealth Care LLP Optum; David W. Hauswirth, Ohio ENT and Allergy Physicians; Sujani Kakumanu, University of Wisconsin; Reena Mehta, Uptown Allergy & Asthma; Quratulain Rashid, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Michael R. Rupp, The Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Southern; Jennifer Shih, Emory University; Giselle S. Mosnaim, NorthShore University HealthSystem
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-02-04
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2020 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2020.11.056
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 1039
• End Page: 1040
• Grant/Funding Information: None declared
• Keywords: COVID-19; Health communication; Health training; Telemedicine; Public health; Health care
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Education; Health Sciences, Health Care Management; Health Sciences, Public Health; Mass Communications

Abstract

Waqar and Agarwal1 make significant points regarding the rapid adoption of technology, specifically telemedicine, into fellowship programs. As all of the authors in the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology telemedicine work group will attest to, many factors need to be taken into account before adopting a functional telemedicine platform in the clinic. Keeping up with current regulations to maintain compliance in light of the changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond also requires considerable effort.2 What is uniquely addressed in this letter are the practical issues that allergists and immunologists face with telemedicine. Although spirometry is limited at this time, technologies are being created and implemented to accomplish home forced expiratory volume in 1 second measurement.3 Assessing and teaching the inhaler and emergency epinephrine device technique can be performed remotely and re-evaluated at follow-up visits via telemedicine. Telemedicine has also been valuable to evaluate and monitor our most at-risk patients, such as those with immunodeficiency, as they may be fearful of returning to the clinic for routine in-person evaluations. Time will reveal more data in our field as we are able to obtain cost-benefit analysis for allergy and immunology telemedicine encounters. By providing innovative, valuable, and cost-effective care while educating our fellows and continuing to rapidly adapt in times of need, we will persist in pushing open the door of modern medical technology in health care.